DRY VALLEY QUARTET

If this longstanding singing group had a theme song, they would no doubt choose, "A Church in the Wildwood". The Dry Valley Quartet originated in a small rural church about 16 miles north and west of Mullen. It isn't exactly a “wildwood'' setting, but other-wise the general theme is appropriate for the area in which the Dry Valley Church is built. The group first sang together for a funeral, and the majority of their singing since has been for that purpose. Records kept, show far more than 130 funerals. The group hasn't limited their harmonizing to this type of singing. Charlie Boyer sang bass, Fielden Boyer sang tenor, Charlie's daughter, Ona Boyer Warden sang alto and daughter-in-law, Erma Elliott Boyer sang soprano. This group sang the longest together. They were frequently called upon to sing for Memorial Day Services, community benefits, specials for church, Christmas programs, banquets and any community function that needed music for entertainment. They have demon-strated their talents in Seneca, Whitman, Hyannis, Valentine, Thedford, Alliance and Gering, Nebraska. In addition to their Dry Valley Church, they sang at the rural Episco-pal Church in South Hooker County, Eclipse, also a Methodist rural church that served five days a week as a school and on Sunday the building was used for worship.

The group used to get together regularly for song fests twice a month in various homes before the days of television. Generally they only sing now when they practice before a performance.

Reminiscing, the group recalled many sad moments, as well as those that were amusing and some that were embarrassing. One of the particularly difficult experience they recalled was singing for a quintuple funeral. Five members of a family lost their live in a drowning accident.

The quartet has made three records that include six gospel songs.

During the nearly 50 years that a `Dry Valley Quartet' has sung, there have been times when it was necessary to call on others to fill in. Those that have sung with the quartet at least 3 or 4 times include: Lessie Boyer Goldizen, Virginia Hodges Ericksen, Doris Dooley Miller, Sylvia Dooley Robinson, Ivan Dooley, Pat Donahoe, Wavia Boyer Phipps, Elva James Webber, Esther Boyer Gillespie and Mrs. B.H. Murten.

Leonard Ridenour joined the group in the late 50's to replace Ivan Dooley. After his father's death in 1973 Ivan Boyer sang the bass.

A charge has never been made for their services and when they are given money for singing at funerals, they immediately turn the money to a memorial fund for the deceased.